we just got our van and are going to do a little day trip , might seem silly question but we are totally new to all this - at what stage do you turn a fridge on before you are going on a day trip ? How long does it usually take to get cold ( dometic fridge ) and I assume it will using the leisure battery to power? Take pity on us we still have lots to learn !
First use fridge query
- Thread starter Newadventurer
- Start date
Dometic is a brand, the type of fridge is key here - I’m guessing it’s a 12v compressor fridge.
The layout makes a difference too; front-loading fridges warm up every time the door is opened whilst a top-loader will retain the cooled air.
The fridge should be connected to your leisure-battery. It may not have a standalone switch, so you’ll control it via the thermostat / temperature selector.
Some converters fit Power Management Systems that disable the leisure electrics whilst driving / engine running, meaning the fridge will not get power during this time.
Some don’t, so you’ll have to ask your conversion company.
As above, turning the fridge on the day before setting off allows it to take power from the EHU mains instead of the leisure-battery.
When fridge compressors initiate, the power surge is fairly high and this can sometimes trip MCB’s if the LB is low on power.
Ice packs are good for getting fridges cooled quickly, them taking some of the strain that would be placed on the compressor and LB.
Be warned: camper fridges (particularly top-loaders) are very good at cooling so don’t be surprised it 5° on your fridge thermostat actually results in frozen food.
Don’t worry, we were all new at one time.
Just use the search function or tag query everytime you have a query as well as scrolling to the bottom of the page to see what similar threads are suggested - you’ll likely soon find your answer (along with other information that you didn’t realise you needed!)
If you find your query hasn’t been answered, it may be that no one knows the answer, or possibly that the question has been asked so many times that people have got bored of typing the same answer!
I have a 25l top loading compressor fridge. Took a last minute trip to the beach for dinner the other night. Put the fridge into freezer mode (-18c) with only about 25 min notice, put it in the van (using a power station to run it) and we had ice creams by the beach after a play. Has the benefit of being small though so I wonder if that helps.
I don't have a campervan, it's a separate fridge that is used day van style
I don't have a campervan, it's a separate fridge that is used day van style
Key thing is making sure things going in are precooled in your fridge, there is no thermal mass really in a fridge to cool down.
Camping fridges are insulated so grab a couple of medium size ice packs and keep those in your home freezer then if you have a short notice trip just chuck them in with your food from the fridge into the camping fridge - they'll keep everything cool while the fridge gets to work and as a bonus will likely take some of the cooling load.
Camping fridges are insulated so grab a couple of medium size ice packs and keep those in your home freezer then if you have a short notice trip just chuck them in with your food from the fridge into the camping fridge - they'll keep everything cool while the fridge gets to work and as a bonus will likely take some of the cooling load.
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thanks will try to remember to look , sometimes a quick answer from a forum buddy is useful if time is of the essence and a good way of getting to know peeps on here too
that;s good to know - do you mean turn it on using the leisure battery or charge your van on your drive before you leave ?
The on off switch on ours is inside the door we just turn it half way and load it up,it’s always connected to the leisure battery,because we use the van daily it charges the leisure battery quiet well and we only connect to the mains when on a campsite or winter months to top it up.
We normally put 2 or 3 frozen home prepared or ready meals in the freezer section before setting off, they will slowly defrost (normally from the top down) ready for a few days.
I turn ours on a couple of hours ahead. Generally I don’t have shelves in, and just load a box or bag in one go, so door only open once.
The icebox on our generic brand fridge is surprisingly effective- frozen stuff stays frozen hard.
The icebox on our generic brand fridge is surprisingly effective- frozen stuff stays frozen hard.
Same here, turn it on a couple of hours before we set off, using LB, not on EHU, then immediately put all the stuff in it from the home fridge.
Ensure any cans or bottles are well chilled. They are a big thermal mass to cool down and will take ages.
Throw some frozen burgers in if you wish.
Ensure any cans or bottles are well chilled. They are a big thermal mass to cool down and will take ages.
Throw some frozen burgers in if you wish.
we chucked in some freezer blocks all went well thanks for the great tip!
thank you everyone for your tips - we chucked in some freezer blocks and put the van on charge on our drive for a couple of spare hours this morning before setting off and it all worked out really well
